Active Duty Military — Earn a Degree Online

Work towards a degree or certificate online while you serve

Colorado Mountain College aims to serve your educational needs while you are busy serving our country. We understand that military service may take you far away from home and that you may be asked to relocate at a moment’s notice.

In order to help you balance the demands of military life, Colorado Mountain College has a complete schedule of online courses that can be accessed anywhere in the world through the Internet.

We offer a 25% discount on your tuition classification rate to soldiers, sailors and Marines on active duty, and their spouses and dependents (dependents under 23-years-of-age). Qualifying veterans and dependents (dependents under 23-years-of-age) also receive this discount.

This discount may not be used by online degree seekers.

Tuition Discount includes spouses and dependents

To honor your service, we offer a 25% tuition discount off of your tuition classification rate to those who qualify. This discount is for Veterans, Active-Duty Military, their spouses and dependents (dependents under 23-years-of-age).

To apply for this discount you must provide the following:

A complete CMC application for admissions indicating your military affiliation under the "Veteran Military Service" section of the Application.

Provide a copy of a DD-214 showing any discharge status other than dishonorable.

A complete FAFSA*. (Students using Military Tuition Assistance or VA Educational Benefits are not required to submit the FAFSA.)

*Your FAFSA must be official and complete, including any follow-up requirements that may be requested. Submitting the FAFSA does not require you to accept grants or loans.

This discount is not available for online programs or a semester of all online courses. This discount was approved by the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees to honor U.S. veterans, active-duty military and their families.

Getting Started
Use our website as a resource as you begin the process of expanding your education. Use the links at the bottom of this page to learn more about applying for and receiving federal benefits, like the Post 9/11 GI Bill. You’ll also be able to link directly to the application for Colorado Mountain College. The following questions and answers are listed in order of priority to help you navigate your journey:

Why Attend Online Classes At Colorado Mountain College?

Q: Why should someone on active duty choose Colorado Mountain College?A: Colorado Mountain College offers a wide variety of online courses. You will also receive a lot of personal attention from our staff who can help you along the way. Our online curriculum has many degree and certificate programs you can pursue while on active duty. If you choose to leave military service before the completion of your chosen program, you can continue from your home of record, or attend one of our locations in the mountains of Colorado.

Our online course options give you the ability to learn when you’re thousands of miles away from home. Many classes allow you to interact with fellow students and instructors in a virtual classroom setting. Link below to learn more about earning credits online and learning away from the traditional classroom.

Q: Which degree or certificate program will be best for me?A: Colorado Mountain College wants to make sure the programs we offer suit your needs, so we suggest that you take a short career assessment to find out where your interests and strengths lie. Explore how you match up with possible careers by using one or all of the career assessments on the page linked below.

Q: Will I get credit for training I had in the military?A: Each applicant’s educational past is compared to the course offerings at Colorado Mountain College. If a course we offer corresponds with the training you received, then you will be awarded credit in most cases. Email the Academic Credentials Evaluator for more information.

How Do I Use My VA Education Benefits?

Q: How do I apply to receive education benefits while I'm on active duty?A: Use the links below to learn your VA education benefits and then read through the handbook, Factors To Consider When Choosing A School. Start with the first one and move down the list. Each link will open a pop-up window, so when you get finished just close the window and move on to the next one. The last link will prompt you to apply for your education benefits.

*With VONAPP You can apply for VA compensation, pension, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial benefits. You can also report the status of dependents, file a claim for increase in your service connected disability(ies), a new disability(ies), an ancillary benefit, entitlement to statutory benefits such as special monthly compensation, and entitlement to special monthly pension.

To file for education benefits, veterans, service members, reservists, and spouses/dependents of a "service connected" disabled or deceased veteran may use VONAPP. If the benefit you're applying for isn't listed as an option on the VONAPP form (REAP chapter 1607 for example) check unsure for the benefit type and use the remarks section of the application to indicate which benefit you wish to apply for.

Q: If I drop a class will it affect my VA Benefits?A: Dropping a class can affect each student differently. It is important that every student contact the Coordinator of Military Services any time there is a change to your schedule.

Return of Tuition Assistance Funds Procedure: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Colorado Mountain College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorate basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending.

These funds are returned to the military Service branch. Instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

Q: I am in the Guard. Can I receive my Tuition Assistance and my GI Bill at the same time?A: Yes. But make sure to research this before you do it because in some cases it may be better to use them separately. Any member of the Colorado National Guard is eligible for state tuition assistance, up to 100% tuition paid at any Colorado state-funded school depending on funding available. State funding can be used in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance. Deadlines:

Spring Semester - Dec. 1.

Fall Semester - July 1.

Summer Semester - May 1 (if funding is available).

Q: I'm still Active Duty but I will be getting out soon. How soon should I start applying for my GI Bill benefits?A: It is okay to apply early, however we recommend that you wait to use your benefits until you separate from the military.

How Do I Apply To Colorado Mountain College?

Q: How do I apply to Colorado Mountain College?A: The application process is simple and you can apply online.